FURIOUS traders are up in arms after almost a hundred motorists were given parking tickets during a record-breaking sporting event.

Last Saturday was the most successful Snowdonia marathon in history, with around 2,200 runners taking part.

However, some runners were left with a bad taste in their mouths after traffic wardens issued a staggering 93 parking tickets in Llanberis on race day.

It comes amidst news that Padarn buses had made an informal offer to implement a park and ride scheme for participants at the village’s sporting events during a meeting on another matter with the council two years ago - an offer which was not taken up.

Llanberis councillor and one of the organisers of the Snowdonia marathon Trefor Edwards called on the council to implement a parking amnesty during future events to ensure that trade is not driven away.

He added: “I have received a number of complaints from businesses about this.

“It’s been an incredibly poor season for when you take into account the weather and the economic downturn.

“The event has grown immensely since we started organising it and we want to ensure that people come back.

“I can tell you there was no obstruction to the traffic caused by the people parking and this only happens one day a year.

“The council wants our businesses to thrive yet it does something like this, I can’t understand it.”

Dafydd Wyn Williams, Gwynedd Council’s senior manager for transport and the street care service, said that parking was an issue for the organisers but they would be happy to discuss related issues with them in the future. “

“Accommodating this many competitors and additional spectators clearly placed huge pressure on the local infrastructure.

“On Saturday, council officers received several complaints about irresponsible parking in Llanberis, which posed a risk to other road users by reducing visibility and road widths as well as blocking access.

“The council’s parking enforcement team worked to ensure the safety of all road users in the Llanberis area and parking tickets were issued to drivers who had parked illegally.

“Any individual who believes that they have been unfairly treated can lodge an appeal with Gwynedd Council by following the advice on the ticket issued to them.

“Whilst providing adequate parking spaces for the event is a matter for the event organisers, the council’s transportation and streetcare service would be more than happy to discuss parking and transport issues with them in order to avoid a similar situation in future events.”